PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — The PGA Tour witnessed another rare umbrella mishap last weekend involving professional golfer Ben Griffin. Similar to an incident just days earlier with Viktor Hovland, Griffin’s umbrella became caught in an unexpected spot during his play at the Genesis Invitational on Saturday. Such occurrences remain uncommon on the tour, making this event notable for fans and players alike.
Earlier Incident Involving Viktor Hovland at Pebble Beach
Just six days prior at Pebble Beach, Viktor Hovland encountered trouble when his golf ball lodged in a cypress tree at the 18th hole. Attempting to determine ownership of the ball, Hovland sent his caddie, Shay Knight, to climb the tree in search of it. If confirmed, Hovland could have taken an unplayable drop near the third shot position. Unfortunately, the ball remained lost, forcing Hovland to return to the tee for a re-hit, resulting in a bogey six.
Ben Griffin’s Encounter with the Range Net at Riviera
At the Genesis Invitational held at Riviera, Griffin faced a similar challenge on the second hole. His drive veered off and appeared to be stuck in the large range net located left of the fairway. With uncertainty about whether the ball was his due to the height and angle, Griffin adopted a creative approach. He threw his umbrella into the net in an attempt to mark its position, but the umbrella itself became lodged in the netting, providing a comical scene for spectators.
Fan Captures Memorable Moment
The unusual moment was recorded by a fan, @jefegolfs, who tweeted an image highlighting Griffin’s unique strategy to identify his golf ball. The post read:
“@KylePorterNS Ben Griffin hit one onto the range and now he’s trying to convince people a ball stuck in the net is his. He threw his umbrella and it got stuck. Now he’s got the camera girl trying to identify it. #normalsport”
— GC (@jefegolfs) February 21, 2026
Using Technology to Confirm the Ball’s Identity
Unlike Hovland’s situation, Griffin had assistance from a camera woman who zoomed in on the ball to help establish ownership. The ball was identified as a Maxfli brand, which matched Griffin’s equipment, providing clear evidence. Thanks to this, Griffin was allowed to take a drop and continue his play without returning to the tee. However, he still received a one-stroke penalty for the unplayable situation.
Final Outcome and Implications
Despite the clever efforts to locate his ball, Griffin ultimately made a double bogey six after missing the green with his third shot and failing to get up and down for par. These incidents highlight the unpredictable challenges players face on the PGA Tour and the inventive ways they adapt. Griffin’s umbrella mishap, in particular, adds a humorous chapter to golf’s long list of unexpected moments, reminding fans of the sport’s lively and sometimes quirky nature.
@KylePorterNS Ben Griffin hit one onto the range and now he’s trying to convince people a ball stuck in the net is his. He threw his umbrella and it got stuck. Now he’s got the camera girl trying to identify it. #normalsport pic.twitter.com/Rwouk3X7eO
— GC (@jefegolfs) February 21, 2026
Update: the camera girl identified it as a Maxfli and he was granted relief 🤷♂️
— GC (@jefegolfs) February 21, 2026
